The online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education program is designed for Elementary and/or Special Education Para Educator or Long Term Substitute at the Early Childhood to 6th grade level who wishes to become a licensed teacher at the Early Childhood and/or Elementary Education (K-6) level.
Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP) is built around the philosophy of an “inverted curriculum,” meaning many of the “professional” courses are at the front end of the program to focus on heightening skills in their current position. The goal is to increase your success in the classroom from the beginning and then build on those strengths as you matriculate through the program. You will earn college credit for your experience as a Para every semester which will apply toward your degree.
You will not have to quit work in order to complete this degree.
- Must serve as a paraeducator or long-term sub with instructional responsibilities at the Early Childhood level (birth-3rd grade); or Elementary Education level (Kindergarten-6th grade) for at least 8 hours per week in the initial semesters of the program and full time the final semester.
- The paraeducator position can be in an interrelated (special education) or general education classroom.
- The paraeducator position must be held in a building that is accredited by KSDE (Kansas State Department of Education) or licensed by KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) or a similar setting.
- Offered a position as classroom teacher (a person with great potential; based on needs of the district)- letter of support from district or building administrator
- Completed at least 60 college credits, including one semester of WSU Approved Courses if you hold a previous Bachelor’s Degree; OR one academic year if you do NOT hold a previous Bachelor’s Degree
- Candidate must have a minimum cumulative 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale on REQUIRED WSU professional coursework in the relevant program of study.
- Candidate must maintain continuous enrollment in the relevant approved Wichita State College of Applied Studies Program (i.e. TAP Program).
- Complete academic advising session (Am I Ready for This?)
- Documented performance(by Success coach) for candidate on teaching evaluation measure (KEEP) as required by Wichita State College of Applied Studies. Candidate must achieve a rating of EFFECTIVE or higher overall on the Summative KEEP Assessment during the semester of application.
- Satisfactory performance on disposition evaluation.
*all qualifications must be met prior to application for license
- After an individual meets the qualifications for the Limited TAP License (Form 24A), they have the option (not required) to be hired as a teacher of record under the Limited TAP License while completing the Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP Program).
- This license can only be held by individuals after they have been offered a position by a district, met the Limited TAP Licensure Requirements, and who maintain enrollment in the TAP Program.
- An individual can only hold the Limited TAP License while a candidate in the TAP Program.
- Once an individual completes the TAP Program (Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Unified/Elementary Education) they must complete the requirements and application for their initial licensure as required by KSDE (Kansas Department of Education).
- This license allows a TAP candidate to serve as the teacher of record in a general education assignment Birth - Grade 6 or a special education assignment at the Birth - Grade 3 level.
- ALL Limited TAP License requirements must be met prior to application for license. The status for requirements 2-6 should be verified by checking Degree Works under MyWSU and by conferencing with assigned TAP Success Coach.
- The Limited TAP License application, Form 24A, is only available through the Wichita State College of Applied Studies Licensure Officer.
- The application must be submitted through Wichita State College of Applied Studies Licensure Officer, NOT directly to KSDE.
- An individual cannot start the application process until they have been offered a position by a district as the teacher of record.
- Once a candidate is offered a position & the Wichita State College of Applied Studies Licensure Officer verifies eligibility for the license, the candidate will receive a checklist, directions, and the paper application (Form 24A) from the Licensure Officer.
Initial License Early Childhood Unified (Birth-3rd grade) and Elementary Education (K-6th grade) Qualifications*
- Successful completion of WSU program of study in the Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP program).
- Successful completion of the Teacher Licensure Capstone (TLC) during the final semester, CI 608 Internship 4 semester.
- Passing scores on required licensure tests. See Required Licensure Testing on the next page.
- Please see College of Applied Studies Advising, Licensure for more detail on how to apply for this license & requirements.
* must be met prior to application for license
Initial Teaching License Required Licensure Testing
You will complete these exams during the semester prior to TAP 608 (Internship 4) or during TAP 608 Internship 4 semester.
Please see the Kansas Test Requirements, for the specific test numbers and qualifying scores.
Early Childhood Unified Only – Licensed in Birth-3rd grade only:
- Education of Young Child Praxis Content Exam; and
- Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood Praxis Content Exam
Elementary Education Only – Licensed in K-6 only:
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Praxis Content Exam with a qualifying score in each subtest area –
- Reading & Language Arts CKT
- Mathematics CKT
- Science CKT
- Social Studies CKT;
** Early Childhood Unified AND Elementary Education – Licensed in B-6th grade:
- Education of Young Child Praxis Content Exam; and
- Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood Praxis Content Exam ; and
- Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Praxis Content Exam with a qualifying score in each subtest area – Reading & Language Arts CKT, Mathematics CKT, Science CKT, Social Studies CKT
** Recommended for ALL candidates as this certifies you in Birth-6th grade teaching & allows you to serve as a special education teacher in Birth – 3rd grade.